| In the face of manpower cutbacks and a greater | | | | 3. Can monitor machine cycle counts with a |
| need to keep an eye on the bottom line, how do | | | | customizable human machine interface (HMI) that |
| manufacturers improve flexibility and profitability? By | | | | provides a real-time view of the factory floor for more |
| embracing real-time performance management-at | | | | accurate and timely asset analysis |
| least that's the consensus at Plant Engineering Live, an | | | | 4. Provides visible feedback and floor-level |
| online portal that provides strategic manufacturing | | | | management |
| knowledge to help the plant manager operate | | | | "While many companies have enormous potential for |
| efficiently, effectively and safely. | | | | improving plant performance, they're challenged with |
| And if you happen to be a factory floor manager, then | | | | collecting, organizing and analyzing the data needed to |
| a real-time data collection system that provides job | | | | identify areas for improvement. By applying |
| tracking and factory floor control might be just the | | | | performance management solutions, organizations can |
| ticket to a roll-with-the-punches attitude and higher | | | | simplify the information-gathering process, while |
| profits. In the face of a global recession, both of these | | | | providing the role-based visibility and in-depth analysis |
| benefits are welcome side effects on every shop | | | | needed to make intelligent business decisions," the |
| floor. | | | | article continues. |
| The article went on to point out, "This [necessity of | | | | Thanks to its touchscreen capabilities, a real-time data |
| keeping tabs on their personnel and profits] is | | | | collection system simplifies factory floor managers' |
| intensifying the need for companies to make key | | | | jobs with better scheduling, WIP tracking, data |
| performance indicators (KPIs) visible across all levels | | | | collection and time and attendance labor management. |
| of the operation to help provide that processes are | | | | In sum, it provides them with a visual factory that is |
| operating correctly and assets are being effectively | | | | easy to see and, therefore, easy to control so that |
| utilized." | | | | they can focus their attention on their bottom lines. |
| When it comes to the factory floor, an Advanced | | | | The article concluded, "Those companies that |
| Planning and Scheduling (APS) and finite scheduling | | | | capitalize on these technologies will be the ones best |
| system provides the underlying data for metrics and | | | | positioned to reap continuous performance |
| key performance indicators such as labor efficiency, | | | | improvements and gain a substantial competitive |
| bottleneck analysis, operation time standard analysis | | | | advantage now and into the future." |
| and OEE. Through a PC-based system that is | | | | Indeed, a shop floor management system not only |
| completely interfaced with most ERP and MRP | | | | allows manufacturers to take their manufacturing to |
| systems, it also: | | | | new levels and improve the efficiency on their factory |
| 1. Visually improves the sequencing of production (and | | | | floors, it also enables them to compete on speed |
| raw materials) | | | | rather than cost. In addition, it delivers real-time, |
| 2. Is a Time and Attendance System with online | | | | continuous improvement for greater profitability and |
| supervisor approval and rules to match a | | | | faster delivery to customers. |
| manufacturer's way of paying its employees | | | | |